2022 ANNUAL REPORT-Final

54

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Training Office (continued)

EMS Training Programs

Paramedic Class 8 graduated on November 18, 2022, with 7 students. As Paramedic Class 8 training was drawing to a close, the EMS Training Staff simultaneously began the rigorous process of planning for and selecting the students for Paramedic Class 9. Paramedic Class 9 started on January 3, 2023, with 14 students that will graduate in November of 2023. The Paramedic program is one in which current Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) must complete an extremely difficult academic program, to advance to the level of a Paramedic. Students in this program are firefighter/EMT’s currently employed by DFRS or volunteers in Frederick County. They report to Training Academy for approximately 11 months of training that consists of approximately 1500 hours of classroom and clinical hours where they learn anatomy, pharmacology, cardiology, advanced emergency medical procedures, and invasive life saving techniques. Emergency medical care is an evidence-based practice which is constantly evolving, requiring recertification and training on new techniques and medical advancements to meet National Standards and State requirements. Frederick County continues to develop and deliver its own recertification training for EMTs and Paramedics, ensuring required skills and enhancements are delivered to our personnel. This training meets and exceeds state and national requirements and is constantly evaluated and modified as needed, to meet these requirements and needs identified through our EMS quality assurance program.